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Balancing Political History, Ethnography and Art: the Role of a National Museum

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Balancing Political History, Ethnography and Art: the Role of a National Museum BALANCING POLITICAL HISTORY, ETHNOGRAPHY AND ART: THE ROLE OF A NATIONAL MUSEUM Ms. Mandakini Shrestha Director, National Museum of Nepal INTRODUCTION globalization in modern times could not erode the glory of these cultures and civilizations. The Nepal is a landlocked country between National Museum of Nepal is a leading institu- two big countries in Asia:India and China. It tion invested in protecting cultural assets. is known throughout the world as the home to Showcase of the various ethnic groups of Nepal the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest, and as the After revolutionary change in 2008, Image courtesy of the National Museum of Nepal birthplace of the light of Asia, Lord Buddha. This Nepal was declared as a federal republic and country is rectangular in shape and is surround- religiously secular country. ed by India to its East, West and South, and by Therefore, the National Museum is popular PRE-HISTORIC STONE TOOLS China to its North. From North to South, it NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NEPAL among researchers and the common people. descends gradually and, as such, is regarded as This section of the gallery provides in- a paradise for the ecologist who specializes in Opened in 1938, the National Museum HISTORICAL BUILDING formation on human existence in Nepal in the various branches. Its total area is 1,47,181 sq. km. was the frst public museum of Nepal. However, Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods. The gallery It is fve hundred miles long from East to West it was initially not open to the general public. It The building that hosts the historical uses fossilised bones of cow, bufaloes and ele- and one hundred to one hundred and forty miles was an arsenal museum, a repository of weapons. gallery was built in 1829 by Bhimsen Thapa, phants to illustrate the lifestyle of these periods. wide in breadth. Geographically, it is divided into It was also home to the private collection of the the frst Prime Minister of Nepal. During this Diferent stone tools and artefacts are also part three parts, including the Himalayan region, Royal family and Rana Prime Ministers.1 It was time, the building was used as a barrack to house of the collection and displayed in this section. Mountain region and Plain (Terai) region. Along established in 1938 with the name Chhauni Silkhana weapons kept. The architecture is inspired by with the diversity in the geographical structure, and opened to the public. It was renamed “Nepal French architecture. The museum’s galleries are WEAPONS AND ARMS GALLERY it is also rich in bio-cultural diversity. Nepal is Museum” in 1942 and renamed again, “Nation- made up of many sections. They are as follows: known world-wide for its tangible and intangible al Museum” (Rastriya Sangrahalaya) in 1967. This gallery includes the weapons and guns cultural heritage. The Himalayas and moun- NATURAL HISTORY GALLERY used by Kings, Prime Ministers, nobles and brave tains, valleys and gorgeous geographical scene Since its inception, the museum has warriors. They date from the 15th century CE. make Nepal an “ornament of nature”. collected thousands of pre-historical, archaeolog- This gallery is extremely important and ical, historical and culturally important objects. rare objects such as various taxidermied animals Nepal’s history has also been narrated Over the centuries, Nepal has provided Thus, it occupies a very prominent position as a are displayed in a lifelike style. Mandibular bones and presented in the gallery. Napoleon III’s a haven for people from the North and South, repository of ancient Nepalese art and culture, of whales and a Moon rock stone are part of the sword presented as a gift to Prime Minister Jung such that the present racial makeup of the including sculpture and painting etc. collection of this gallery. Bahadur Rana (1851) is one of the key pieces in country is a mixture of various Asian elements, the gallery’s collection. This object proves the lending to Nepal being called the “ethnic turn- The National Museum has three exhi- ETHNOGRAPHY SECTION infuence of Nepalese diplomacy in international table of Asia.” With the rich heritage of culture bition buildings in its complex: the Historical relations at the time. The gallery includes a and wealth of diversity in religious and ethnic building, Juddha Jatiya art gallery and the Bud- This section of the gallery showcases leather canon seized in the war of Nepal-Tibet variation, Nepal has been greatly enriched by dhist art gallery. Its collections are of political the lifestyle and attire of diferent people of the (1855-1856) and a machine gun (Bir Gun in Nepali) valuable arts and antiquities of historical and history, diverse ethnic groups of Nepal and art world. The main objective is to show their eth- invented by Nepalese scientist Gahendra Shum- archaeological signifcance. Even the process of objects represented in a multidisciplinary way. no-cultural background. sher Rana (1896-1897), which add grandeur to the collection. 1 Rana Prime Ministers were powerful Prime Ministers who ruled Nepal for 103 years from 1847 to 1950. 60 61 Balancing political history, ethnography and art: The role of a National Museum Mandakini Shrestha various people of Nepal are showcased and an have recorded only the ruler’s history, the Na- unbiased representation of the long history of tional Museum should put efort into equally the nation. representing all political events. For this, a de- tailed study of how such events form a national Since the National Museum plays a history is needed. The National Museum should parental role in the development of museums represent not only rulers and elites but equally throughout the country, it plays a signifcant role incorporate those philosophical and political in the balance of political history, ethnography leaders, revolutionists and martyrs, whose con- and art. Its role can be broadly summarised as: tributions are equally valuable for the sovereign- ty and prosperity of the country. THE NATIONAL MUSEUM FORMULATES NATIONAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY Regarding politics, national and inter- national relations should be studied in detail The National Museum as a mirror of the and incorporated into the museum. In Nepal’s Portrait of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Image courtesy of the National Museum of Nepal nation represents the social, political, economic context, after the 2008 declaration of federalism, and cultural aspects of the nation. Various which addressed the people’s demands, the royal political events arising out of diferent political palace was transformed into a museum. The circumstances and cultural dimensions have people and society’s interest should be taken into created diferent communities that form the consideration. Statue of King Jaya Burma dated 185 CE as inscribed national identity of the country and its society. Image courtesy of the National Museum of Nepal However, over time, changes in the perception of Regarding art, culture and indigenous human thought, technological inventions and perspectives, Nepal is termed “a garden of various PORTRAIT GALLERY his personal funds. Decorative wood, bronze, other developments etc. have afected tangible tribes.” A recent survey carried out by the Nepal stone, scroll paintings, decorative art forms, and intangible culture. Government shows that Nepal has 125 ethno- The colourful paintings of Malla and terracotta etc. are displayed in this gallery. The graphic groups and 102 linguistic groups. Many Shah kings, Kaji, Bhardars and Rana Prime Min- items in this gallery date back to 3rd century BC. In every historical period, political situa- are indigenous and on the verge of extinction. isters along with the portrait of international tions are experienced, which call for vivid histor- The cultural aspects of these groups should be personalities like Queen Victoria and Prince BUDDHIST ART GALLERY ic change in the world. Politics is the backbone identifed and addressed properly in society. The Albert refect the sheer talent and genius of of a country. With the change in the political, National Museum has an important role to play Nepali artists of the period. The third gallery in the museum building social and economic spheres of a country, its in this. After Nepal became a republic, ethnic was inaugurated in 1997. The artefacts related international diplomacy also changes. The Na- groups realised the importance of the museum ILLICIT TRAFFICKING GALLERY to Buddhism are displayed in this gallery. There tional Museum plays a vital role in the writing in understanding their cultural identities and are three sections in this gallery based on geo- of cultural and political history by conducting developing their historical representation. Thus, The art works and masterpieces of Nep- graphical areas. One of them is related to the deep research and studies of political philosophy many groups are quickly establishing museums alese history which have been illicitly trafcked Southwest part of Nepal where Lord Buddha and ideology of diferent time periods in Nepal. to represent themselves. In such a context, the and have been successfully retrieved are displayed was born and lived. Another area contains the Recently, Nepal experienced a great political National Museum should research and study the in this gallery. objects from Kathmandu Valley, the supposed revolution in 2008, which saw the end of 240 cultural aspects of these groups and help them centre of Buddhist philosophy and art. The third years of monarchy. Nepal was declared a demo- institutionalise their actions. In providing all JUDDHAJATIYA GALLERY area relates to Himalayan cultures. cratic republic and a federalist country in 2008. ethnographic groups tribal identifcation and The National Museum has incorporated these ensuring their cultural protection, the National The next building in the museum complex From the description above, it can be seen changes and disseminated this new information Museum enhances social unity, cooperation and is the frst structure ever built for museum that the museum’s collections and how they are to society as well as developed documentation brotherhood between people.
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